The planning process has an important role in helping everyone to live more sustainable lifestyles. Planning and construction standards need to be raised so that the benefits of sustainable buildings in sustainable locations are realised.

Advice for Householders

Little things can make a big difference. When doing work to your home there are many small changes that can be made to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption. We have produced detailed guidance on many of the available technologies and steps you can take to make your home more sustainable.

Click here for further advice on sustainable householder development

We have also prepared design guidance to help you plan extensions to your home.

 Click here to download the Householder Design Guide 2008 [865kb]

Renewable Energy Requirement

The City Council has adopted a renewable energy requirement for all new developments over 1,000 square metres.

Click here for further information on the Renewable Energy Requirement.

Sustainable Drainage and Green Roofs

Click here for further advice on Sustainable Drainage and Green Roofs

Waste Storage and Collection

Click here for further information on Waste Storage

City Centre Masterplan

The big changes in the city over the last five to ten years have been underpinned by an integrated approach to planning, economic development and transport. The Masterplan, produced in 2005, sets the strategic spatial framework for the development of the city centre for a further ten years, providing clear guidance and a positive framework for the design of new buildings and spaces. It is a non-statutory document, which sets out the scope and potential for the city centre and how all the elements fit together in an integrated way. It draws on the policies in statutory planning documents such as the Development Plan and Local Transport Plan. Development briefs will be provided for the key development sites.

 Click here for information on the City Centre Masterplan [8Mb]

City Centre Urban Design Guide

The Nottingham City Centre Urban Design Guide has been published by The City Council and Nottingham Regeneration Limited to promote high standards of sustainable urban design and architecture in Nottingham City Centre. The Design Guide analyses the city centre and the characteristics that make it work and make it special. These are developed into a series of design rules to guide development, to create a more lively, competitive and civilised city centre with access for all.

The Design Guide develops the vision within the Masterplan into rules to shape the way development takes place in the city centre. The Guide also complements the  Streetscape Design Manual [3Mb] which specifies street design and materials.

The guide is targeted at developers, landowners and their advisors and will provide some detailed advice as to the type of development that is likely to be acceptable. It will also be relevant to many others who have an interest in our city centre and its unique historic character.

 Click here to download the City Centre Design Guide (low resolution version) [8Mb]

 Click here to download the City Centre Design Guide (high resolution version) [49Mb]

(The high resolution version contains a large number of high quality images and may take a long time to download).